City of New Orleans Stormwater Code

City of New Orleans Stormwater Code

In March of 2018, the City of New Orleans officially updated its Stormwater Code to include requirements to protect the City’s drainage system post- new development and redevelopment construction. In particular, these requirements apply to any new development or redevelopment, aside from single-, two-family, or residential properties with less than six (6) dwelling units, that is five thousand (5,000) square feet or more of impervious surface, or a total site area of one (1) acre or more. It requires that the plan retain or detain, and filter the first one and one quarter inch (1.25”) of stormwater runoff during each rain event and limit the post-development runoff rate.

The City also offers developers the option to pay a “fee in lieu” of onsite capture. The fees go to a City Enterprise Fund which is in turn used to build green stormwater infrastructure. Based on stakeholder meetings and modeling, the City expects approximately 80% of developers to build onsite stormwater management practices and 20% to pay the fee in lieu.